Why I chose Haval F7x 2.0l 190 hp, review after a year of operation

Chinese cars are one of the most discussed topics, especially relevant recently, when the prices of new cars are rising almost every month. Many motorists are thinking about purchasing them, because at a lower price they practically do not differ in terms of comfort and quality, at least when considering new or almost new copies.

Today we will talk about the novelty of the current car market – the Haval F7x coupe-crossover. We call it a novelty conditionally – today the car is produced near Tula and has been on sale for more than a year. This is the first publication about this model on our channel, as there are not so many reviews and objective feedback from the owners.

And in general, this car did not become particularly popular, as the manufacturer might have expected, although the F7 / F7x family expectedly reached the first line of the sales rating both for the Haval brand and for Chinese new cars officially sold? in general.

The car we are considering today was purchased at the end of 2019. Turbocharged petrol engine 2.0l, 190 hp.

Previously, Lada Vesta Cross with a robotic gearbox, 2018 onwards, was in operation. Driving it around the city turned into a hassle and, although there was no warranty replacement of the clutch yet, like many, but, judging by the symptoms, it was already going to this, so it was decided to change the car.

What was chosen and why did they choose the F7x.

The first thing that was in priority, based on the available budget, was the Toyota LC Prado, tentatively made in 2014.

We looked at several cars, but a 5-year-old car could barely fit into the available budget of up to 1.8 million and only with a junior engine of 2.7 liters, 163 hp, automatic transmission. It was possible to travel for several days on such a car (rented in another city). Outwardly, the design of the car is very pleasant: capacity, comfort, cross-country ability – but that's where it ends. The car is clumsy, sluggish in terms of dynamics, while eating a lot of gasoline… in general, you get very tired during a day of driving around the city and the highway. And the interior of the cabin inside is like a dozen – there is nothing, only air conditioning and power windows. It is clear that this is true only for the 2.7 gasoline configuration, but the older ones will already be 6-7-8 years old for this money.

Taking into account the fact that with Vesta there was enough negativity from driving with a “robot”, I wanted positive emotions. Well, there was no installation to buy a car for 15 years, so that it would not break at all. You get tired of any car after a maximum of 5 years.

All other considered crossovers of sufficient size, power and in a decent (pleasant to look and feel, with all the necessary options) configuration would also fit into the budget only used, 2-3 years, depending on the model. And in the end, it came to an understanding that it was necessary to take a new car, and only Chinese brands were placed in the existing budget. Of these, Haval is the most authoritative, especially its own factory?. And of the models I liked the most F7x – both externally and internally – it is not at all perceived as something second-rate and deshman (as China is used to imagine). As a result, F7x was bought.

After purchase immediately began daily operation. It is immediately worth noting the consumption of gasoline – in urban operation, taking into account traffic jams, it turns out to be quite considerable: below in the 1st picture, the consumption at idle time (27 km per hour is the average speed of the trip), and in the 2nd picture, already taking into account traffic jams – apparently, it turns out more than 15 liters per hundred.

A lot has been written and said about the merits of the F7 and F7x – Haval's PR service works great. So let's talk about what you might not like. In general, we note right away that there are no regrets from the purchase, since the car solves the main task of comfortable movement around the city perfectly.

The mileage for the year has already run more than 11,500 km, the first MOT was completed for 10,000 km at a cost of 8,500 rubles.

Appearance, of course, very much. With the exception of one detail in the cabin – these yellow inserts at first seemed original and fashionable, but then they began to annoy…

What else is annoying? A bit – a robot that dulls at low speeds. Although – they read reviews about both DSG and modern 8-9-speed classic automatic transmissions – now this is a common problem – apparently due to the large number of gears and the desire (or rather, the requirement) to meet eco-standards – the box is constantly strives to switch up, which often results in a lack of dynamics and momentum.

Washer reservoir: keep in mind that it is of a very small volume, only 2.5-3 liters. You will have to refuel often, while also carrying the rest of the canister with you.

The gas tank is also small, about 48-49 liters under the neck. For a fairly large car with a considerable appetite, it will not be enough…

On the very first long trip, it became clear that it was not so easy to get comfortable in the driver's seat. In fact, I never managed to find a comfortable position to sit comfortably for a long time. There is no such problem in the city, the trips are not too long, and due to heavy traffic, you willy-nilly shift a little while driving. But on long trips, discomfort will be felt.

In terms of sound insulation, the weak point is thin glass and wheel arches. Wind whistle is heard after 100 km.h., tires are heard, water is heard when driving through puddles, etc.

USB on the windshield is 5 volts, but for most universal devices of the “radar + recorder” type, you need 12 volts, i.e. it turns out that this usb is in fact useless.

Setting the climate through the display is subjectively not a very convenient solution. We recommend that you try it for a test drive to be ready for this. The display is not of the best quality – glare and insufficient clarity of the review, again subjective.

Of the troubles, only the squeak of the pads appeared in front, and because of what it is not clear: they usually squeak from new, and then run in, and then they began to squeak a few months later. The dealer does not know what to do or pretends not to know – he sent a request to the Chinese. Perhaps the caliper is wedged and it is necessary to lubricate it corny, but without sanctions they will not be paid for this work, so they “freeze”. Otherwise, everything is fine – we repeat, the car as a whole pleases.